Ferrari FF is fast fun for four

You want a car that goes fast. Supercar fast. It also needs to be in luxurious confines. Badge kudos is important, and you want to carry the family. Price is no option.

In that case, there isn't much choice than to get behind the wheel of a Ferrari FF.

For your $624,646 it's armed with a raucous V12 which sounds so spectacular that even greenies blush in awe, an ability to reach the national speed limit within four seconds, all the while sharing the experience with three fortunate others.

The FF name says it all (it stands for four seats and four-wheel drive) and not surprisingly you often stammer those initials when you stamp your right foot.

HEAD TURNER: Not many big bummed Ferraris have come out of Modena, making the FF a polarising model for Prancing Horse enthusiasts

Whereas some even rate a stereo as superfluous, the FF offers delights for passengers, not just the pilot.

Raw with a refined edge, the FF proves you don't need to rattle the kidneys for a good time. The ride is firm but can be softened with adaptive suspension, which includes a "bumpy road" mode, although you still feel the undulations and there is reasonable tyre noise.

Rear passengers have a compact space, and those in the front pews have to be thoughtful to allow ample leg and knee room.

Yet there are two child car seat anchorage points in the back which make this a raging kid-friendly chariot.

On the road

Positioned on the spectacular steering wheel is your ticket to happiness.

The red start button launches the V12 into action. It immediately flexes its muscle with a soul-stirring bellow.

Although it's the toggle between drive modes, opt for "sport" over the slightly more mundane "comfort" and a nudge of the accelerator gives headrests a workout.

Reaching the highway speed limit occurs within a breath, and the steering-wheel lights which accompany rev range echelons only encourage right foot shenanigans.

There is also a launch button on the console where you see whether it can achieve the 0-100kmh time of 3.7 seconds… we're pretty sure it's accurate.

All-wheel drive helps deliver prodigious and confidence-inspiring grip, with enough play in the rear which is quickly arrested before you get too excited. Direct steering clinches the deal to help make it outstanding fun.

It does take newcomers a short time to master the operation. Reverse is found via a console button, and getting things moving into first just takes a pull on the paddles.

Not that you'll use it in a Ferrari, but there is cruise control. They call it "pit limiter". Nice.

F1 STUFF: Switchgear on the carbon steering wheel can have you living out your Schumacher fantasies: hitting 100kmh in 3.7 seconds helps.

It's the options that sting. Our vehicle came with an eye-watering $295,000 worth of extras. That's because it had the Tailor Made treatment, complete with three-layer paintwork and tartan material throughout with matching $11,500 golf bag.

Then there was the $30,000 panoramic glass sunroof, carbon fibre dash and associated gear which totalled $43,050, RMSV rims for $10,599 and Rosso Corsa brake callipers for $2700.

Running costs

Drinking about 15 litres for every 100km, that's reasonably hefty, although there has to be some pain for that kind of performance. You can get far better consumption by good behaviour on the highway and easy use of the throttle, but where's the fun in that?

You do get free servicing for the first seven years, which eases the maintenance burden.

Practicality

Given it's a supercar, it comes as a surprise that there is a useful boot space, along with folding rear seats. And it has an electric opening function.

GRAND TOURER: At over $620,000 before ticking options, the FF isn't the cheapest of family chariots. Your kids will love you though.

With the elongated bonnet and stubby rear end, it's almost a shooting brake… more closely aligned to the original 19th century two-door wagon and not the modern-day Mercedes interpretation. Many onlookers were not convinced it lived up to the Prancing Horse lineage, probably because it was white rather than red, but there was no doubting its ability to turn heads.

The lowdown

It's difficult to ascertain whether the FF is so compelling because of the badge or the price-tag. Maybe it's both.

There is no doubting the acceleration ability is nothing short of insane. It turns, grips and punches like any good supercar… and you can take your family along for the ride.

What we liked: Brilliant acceleration, comfortable ride for a car of this ilk.

What we'd like to see: Lower pricing on options, safety technology such as lane change assist and radar cruise control.

Warranty and servicing: Three-year warranty and there are a range of extension options. There is free servicing for the first seven years, service intervals are 20,000km, or annual and includes costs covered original spare parts, engine oil and brake fluid.